Finding relevant keywords for the Australian market involves utilising tools that analyse search data, and Google’s Keyword Planner, integrated within Google Ads, is a primary mechanism for this as of December 2025. It functions by providing estimated search volumes, competition levels, and related keyword suggestions based on data aggregated from Google Search.

Currently, Keyword Planner draws on Australian Google Search data, allowing users to filter by location – specifically, states, territories, and even postcodes – to refine keyword research. As of December 2025, the tool now includes a ‘Discover’ function which uses AI to identify new keyword opportunities based on your website content or a list of seed keywords. The ‘Competition’ metric indicates the relative number of advertisers bidding on those keywords in Australia, influencing potential ad costs. Google Ads account access is required, though using the planner for keyword research doesn’t necessitate running active campaigns. Data accuracy is continually improving, with Google announcing in late 2025 that updates to the underlying algorithms will be rolled out in 2026 to account for voice search trends specific to Australian dialects. Pricing for Google Ads remains consistent across Australia, with costs determined by bidding strategies and keyword competition.

Keyword Planner operates by processing vast amounts of search query data to provide insights into what Australians are actively searching for online.